Reflection: Goals for Your Working Environment
1. Goal 1: Create a Professional and Organized Workspace
o Plan:
Dedicate a specific area in your home for teaching.
Use a desk with ample space for your computer, monitor, and teaching
materials.
Keep cables and equipment organized to avoid clutter.
2. Goal 2: Ensure High-Quality Audio and Video
o Plan:
Purchase a headset with noise-canceling features and a high-quality
microphone.
Test your webcam and audio settings before each session to ensure clarity.
Use proper lighting to ensure your face is well-lit and visible to students.
3. Goal 3: Optimize for Comfort and Productivity
o Plan:
Invest in an ergonomic chair and desk to reduce physical strain during long
teaching sessions.
Set up a dual-monitor system to multitask efficiently (e.g., view lesson plans on
one screen and interact with students on the other).
Personalize your workspace with items that inspire you, such as plants, artwork,
or motivational quotes.
Steps to Achieve Your Goals Before Teaching Online
1. Assess Your Current Setup
o Evaluate your existing computer, monitor, and peripherals. Identify any gaps or
upgrades needed.
2. Research and Purchase Necessary Equipment
o Compare prices and features of computers, monitors, headsets, and webcams.
o Look for deals on refurbished or used equipment if budget is a concern.
3. Set Up and Test Your Equipment
o Arrange your workspace to ensure everything is within reach and functional.
o Test your audio, video, and internet connection to avoid technical issues during
teaching.
4. Create a Backup Plan
o Have a secondary device (e.g., a tablet or smartphone) ready in case of technical
failures.
o Save lesson materials on cloud storage (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox) for easy access
from any device.
5. Practice and Familiarize Yourself with Tools
o Conduct mock teaching sessions to practice using your equipment and online teaching
platforms.
o Learn keyboard shortcuts for muting audio, disabling video, and switching between
applications.
By setting clear goals and creating a well-equipped, comfortable workspace, you can ensure a
professional and effective online teaching experience. Taking the time to plan and prepare will help you
focus on delivering high-quality lessons and engaging with your students.
Speedtest
Now try finding a Speedtest online that works for you. A Speedtest is a measure of the speed between
your device and a server. Different factors can impact the speed recorded. You will get a download
number (aim for at least 25mbps) and an upload speed (aim for around 3 mbps).
Knowing your speed helps you to understand how long things will take to download, what quality of
videos you can stream, and even how many people can go online at once.
You can also find out if you are getting what you paid for. You may have a plan that offers an average
download speed of 50 Mbps but you may only be getting 5 Mbps. One option is an upgrade to fibre
optic broadband. Discuss your options with a few providers, and be sure to tell them you plan to work at
home as an educator. Consider all of your options and price points just like any other financial decision.
Remember also, your speedtest results may be different based on your connection. For example, an
ethernet cable may give a faster connection. Using Wi-Fi may be slower. Also, you may have areas
where the speed is faster or slower. Check the connection and speed in your office or at your
workspace, as well as in different places around your office.
Also, try speedtests at various times of the day. Your neighbours may be sharing the same broadband
line you use. Peak times on weekday evenings may be a little slower.
When you teach, you may have several windows and applications open at once. You will want to be able
to maximize your time when online in a session.
The key is to take time now to figure out how fast your computer is and where it works best.
So, how do you do a speedtest?
Use a “speed test” website
You may choose from many various online tests. There may be one from your internet provider
(Verizon, AT&T, Rogers, Bell, etc.). You can also try the ones below.
https://speedof.me/
https://speedsmart.net/
https://fast.com/ (run by Netflix)
https://www.speedtest.net/
Test during peak times
Hint: Try doing a speedtest at a peak time: evenings from 4 pm to 8 pm. You
may find times when your speed is slower or lags. Consider upgrading if that
is a time you plan to work or work around it.
Remember: Parts of this exercise are similar to online assignments or
examples you may give to your students. In fact, exploring how to do
something online is part of what you and your students will do as you learn
together. Sometimes you will not be able to give them a specific example
that works for them (e.g., If this troubleshooting does not work for you and
your computer). But you can help them find how to get the answers they
need (e.g., I gave a few examples of sites that could work, but you have to
try them for yourself).
Reflection
Try answering the questions below. You might want to write down your answer.
What is your operating system and the implications of this OS?
How fast is your computer?
Are there any times or places you should avoid if you want to maximize your computer speed?
Do you need any upgrades before you start to teach?
Module 1
Reflection Journals
Your Working Environment
Part 1: Your Working Environment
What is your operating system and the implications of this OS?
Your text here
How fast is your computer?
Your text here
Are there any times or places you should avoid if you want to maximize your
computer speed?
Your text here
Do you need any upgrades before you start to teach?
Your text here
Illustrate or explain what your ideal work environment would look like. Think
of your five senses when you explore your ideas.
Your text here
Option: practice with drawing software or even a photo editing program to
make an illustration of your ideal work space.
Try these free programs (sometimes a trial version) or use your own:
1. Sketchpad 5.1 https://sketch.io/ske
2. Canva https://www.canva.com/
3. Home by Me https://home.by.me/en/
Reflection
Try answering the questions below. You might want to write down your answer.
My Ideal Work Environment
Illustrate or explain what your ideal work environment would look like. Think of your five senses
when you explore your ideas.
Option: practice with drawing software or even a photo editing program to make an illustration
of your ideal work space.
Try these free programs (sometimes a trial version) or use your own:
1. Sketchpad 5.1 https://sketch.io/ske
2. Canva https://www.canva.com/
3. Home by Me https://home.by.me/en/
